Top pick: #7 (SOURCEOFTHENILE) - Talented and lightly-raced grey gelding returns today off a 6 1/2 month layoff and has been working steadily for his return. When last seen this stalker was finishing second at this level in early July at Belmont and can win this if he comes back off the break in the same shape.
2nd pick: #1 (Pete's Parley) - Speedy runner finished a pace-pressing second here at this level almost a month ago and that was his best start since coming back from a 7 1/2 month layoff in mid-November. Has the rail and enough speed to stay in this from start to finish.
3rd pick: #9 (Fortitude) - Lightly-raced and fragile, he pressed the pace from a wide post here Dec. 18 and flatten out a bit in the last furlong. Makes back-to-back starts and can contend today if he improves just a bit.